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ESPN has a new No. 1 in 2017 top 25
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:24 am
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:24 am
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1. Ohio State
2. Florida State
4. USCw
5. Penn State
6. Oklahoma State
7. Clemson (Tillman's head is going to explode)
8. Oklahoma
9. Washington
11. Wisconsin
14. Michigan
15. Miami
16. Stanford
17. Louisville
18. Kansas State
19. South Florida
20. West Virginia
22. Virginia Tech
23. Texas
24. Boise State
25. Washington State
1. Ohio State
2. Florida State
quote:
3. Alabama
2016 record: 14-1, 8-0 SEC
Last Way-Too-Early ranking: 1
Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams
Key losses: TE O.J. Howard, DE Jonathan Allen, DE Dalvin Tomlinson, LB Tim Williams, LB Ryan Anderson, LB Reuben Foster, S Eddie Jackson, CB Marlon Humphrey, OT Cam Robinson, WR ArDarius Stewart
Outlook: The Crimson Tide's focus this spring was getting quarterback Jalen Hurts more comfortable in the pocket in his second season. The early results under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll were encouraging, especially in the spring game, in which Hurts and early enrollee Tua Tagovailoa combined to pass for 614 yards with five touchdowns. Alabama coach Nick Saban wants the Tide to be more balanced on offense, after finishing 87th nationally in passing (210.3 yards per game) in 2017. Receivers Robert Foster and Jerry Jeudy emerged as potential big-play threats, which would help take some attention away from star receiver Calvin Ridley.
4. USCw
5. Penn State
6. Oklahoma State
7. Clemson (Tillman's head is going to explode)
8. Oklahoma
9. Washington
quote:
10. Auburn
2016 record: 8-5, 5-3 SEC
Last Way-Too-Early ranking: 11
Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense, 1 special teams
Key losses: WR Tony Stevens, G Alex Kozan, OT Robert Leff, DT Montravius Adams, DE Carl Lawson, CB Joshua Holsey, CB Johnathan Ford
Outlook: Former Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham looked better than advertised in Auburn's spring game, completing 16 of 20 passes for 267 yards with one touchdown. He seems to already have a firm grasp of new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey's system, which has to be a sigh of relief on the Plains after the Tigers struggled on offense the past two seasons. With tailbacks Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson returning, and Nate Craig-Myers emerging as a big-play receiver, the Tigers have all the pieces in place to be explosive again. Defensively, Auburn focused on rebuilding its defensive front, and Paul James III showed signs of being a capable pass rusher. Former five-star recruit Byron Cowart moved from end to tackle in hopes of reviving his career.
11. Wisconsin
quote:
12. LSU
2016 record: 8-4, 5-3 SEC
Last Way-Too-Early ranking: 9
Returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense, 1 special teams
Key losses: RB Leonard Fournette, WR Travin Dural, C Ethan Pocic, G Josh Boutte, TE Colin Jeter, DE Lewis Neal, DT Davon Godchaux, LB Tashawn Bower, LB Duke Riley, S Jamal Adams, CB Tre'Davious White, WR Malachi Dupre
Outlook: Ed Orgeron's first spring did little to alleviate LSU fans' lingering concerns about the team's offense. Returning starting quarterback Danny Etling struggled mightily during the spring game, and then he underwent minor back surgery when spring practice was over. The bad news for new offensive coordinator Matt Canada: Neither Justin McMillan nor early enrollee Lowell Narcisse seemed ready to push Etling. In fact, Orgeron wants to see incoming freshman Myles Brennan play before he names a starter. Another concern for the Tigers: Star defensive end/linebacker Arden Key hasn't participated in football activities since February for unexplained personal reasons. Orgeron has said he hopes that Key returns to the team at some point this summer.
quote:
13. Georgia
2016 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC
Last Way-Too-Early ranking: 13
Returning starters: 7 offense, 10 defense, 2 special teams
Key losses: WR/KR Isaiah McKenzie, LT Tyler Catalina, C Brandon Kublanow, OT Greg Pyke, S Maurice Smith
Outlook: Kirby Smart feels much better about his team heading into his second season as Georgia's coach, especially since sophomore quarterback Jacob Eason has a full season under his belt. With tailbacks Nick Chubb and Sony Michel returning, Georgia's running game should be potent -- as long as the offensive line improves. Receivers Terry Godwin and Javon Wims were more consistent this spring, and Tyler Simmons and Mecole Hardman also emerged as potential playmakers. Georgia brings back 10 defensive starters, but star tackle Trenton Thompson missed the spring because of an undisclosed medical condition. Smart says he hopes to have Thompson back before the start of preseason camp.
14. Michigan
15. Miami
16. Stanford
17. Louisville
18. Kansas State
19. South Florida
20. West Virginia
quote:
21. Florida
2016 record: 9-4, 6-2 SEC
Last Way-Too-Early ranking: NR
Returning starters: 9 offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams
Key losses: CB Teez Tabor, CB Quincy Wilson, LB Jarrad Davis, LB Alex Anzalone, LB Daniel McMillian, NT Joey Ivie, DT Caleb Brantley, S Marcus Maye, OT David Sharpe
Outlook: Even though Florida has won back-to-back SEC East titles in Jim McElwain's first two seasons, he's catching some heat for the way his offense has performed. McElwain hopes Feleipe Franks can help the Gators dramatically improve the passing game this coming season. Franks, a 6-foot-6 freshman, completed 8 of 14 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown in the spring game, and he takes a big lead over freshman Kyle Trask heading into the summer. Luke Del Rio, who started six games at quarterback last season, had surgery on his left shoulder in January and then minor surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder in March.
22. Virginia Tech
23. Texas
24. Boise State
25. Washington State
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:26 am to TideSaint
Makes sense. Ohio State is likely going to run away with the Big 10 and FSU is likely going to run away with the ACC. Probably the two safest picks for the CFP.
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:27 am to TideSaint
Maybe Gus won't screw us again because we have expectations.
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:34 am to TideSaint
I guarantee Saban is happy about this. He loves to make his guys feel like they are disrespected/not good enough. Gives them something to work towards.
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:37 am to TideSaint
Great! I am so tired of being #1...
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:37 am to SECSolomonGrundy
quote:
I guarantee Saban is happy about this.
Saban, happy? I bet you Saban doesn't even care. It's not like they are ranked out of the top 5. Most coaches stress that pre-season polls mean zero.
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:38 am to TideSaint
I would have bama #1 until proven otherwise.
This post was edited on 5/2/17 at 11:46 am
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:40 am to TideSaint
JT Barrett is a poor mans Jalen Hurts. I'd put FSU over OSU
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:43 am to TideSaint
quote:
7. Clemson
Not for long
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:47 am to TideSaint
Love LSU being doubted like that.
I think we're going to be good AF this year. Sucks we have our hardest SEC schedule in years.
I think we're going to be good AF this year. Sucks we have our hardest SEC schedule in years.
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:47 am to TideSaint
Did not realize Florida lost so much on defense. Wow
Posted on 5/2/17 at 11:51 am to TheCaterpillar
I think that's a decent ranking for LSU
Posted on 5/2/17 at 12:07 pm to TideSaint
Auburn top 10
We're screwed
We're screwed
This post was edited on 5/2/17 at 12:07 pm
Posted on 5/2/17 at 12:13 pm to TheCaterpillar
quote:Huh?
Love LSU being doubted like that.
Posted on 5/2/17 at 12:16 pm to MrAUTigers
It was proven in the Championship game. They're #2.
Posted on 5/2/17 at 12:21 pm to AUlock54
quote:.
Gus won't screw us again because we have expectations
quote:
expectations
According to whom, exactly?
Posted on 5/2/17 at 12:31 pm to TheCaterpillar
quote:
Love LSU being doubted like that.
What do you mean doubted? They have LSU 12th. That would be LSU's highest end of year ranking since 2011.
This post was edited on 5/2/17 at 12:40 pm
Posted on 5/2/17 at 12:36 pm to elposter
So Bama will likely move to the number 1 spot with a win over FSU.
Posted on 5/2/17 at 12:38 pm to TideSaint
Saban signs new contract.
Tide drops in the rankings.
Nick has lost control.
/Media
Tide drops in the rankings.
Nick has lost control.
/Media
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